The doctors — Naresh Kumar (head of general medicine), Krishna Gopal and Aman Kumar —and two staff nurses — were stationed at 10, Circular Road, Patna, where the Yadav family resides, from May 31 to June 8.
Rashtriya Janata Dal's first family has landed in a controversy after it came to light that a medical team comprising three government doctors and two nurses of a premier state hospital was recently deputed at the official residence of former CM Rabri Devi for the treatment of a "family member."
Though officials have not revealed who the family member was, sources said the medical team was deployed to monitor the condition of Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD boss and father of Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.
The doctors — Naresh Kumar (head of general medicine), Krishna Gopal and Aman Kumar —and two staff nurses — were stationed at 10, Circular Road, Patna, where the Yadav family resides, from May 31 to June 8.
During the same duration, the RJD chief had expressed his inability to attend DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's birthday celebrations in Chennai due to health issues. "He was suffering from fever at that time," sources said.
The hospital, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS)-Patna, has confirmed that the state Health Minister, who is also the chairman of the hospital's governing body, had asked for deputation of doctors at his home for a family member's treatment.
"We cannot say no. Being a minister, he (Lalu's son Tej Pratap Yadav) will get preference. In fact, it's only humane to treat someone ill," IGIMS medical superintendent PK Sinha said on Tuesday.
The Opposition was quick to grab the issue and raised question over private deployment of government doctors. "At a time when healthcare in Bihar is in such a sorry state, three top doctors were deployed for one patient, just because he happens to be the father of the health minister. Where will the common people go for treatment?" a senior BJP leader asked and demanded action against the minister.
RJD members defended their bosses saying the deployment was not fulltime and the doctors only visited twice a day to monitor the patient's health. "The media is raking up a non-issue," RJD MLA Ramanuj Prasad said.
With 80 MLAs, RJD is the single-largest party in Bihar, running the Mahagathbandhan government in alliance with the JD (U) and the Congress.
The Congress supported the RJD over the issue, with state Congress chief and Bihar Education Minister Ashok Choudhary saying it was not right to give so much importance to the issue.
But the JD (U) steered clear of the controversy saying it has no information about any such deployment.
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